China fixing F1 track due to subsidence

Subsidence of the track surface is the main reason for the improvement
works taking place at China's Grand Prix venue in Shanghai, it has
emerged.
The April event has only a provisional date on the 2011 calendar, with
re-approval of the 7-year-old...

Subsidence of the track surface is the main reason for the improvement
works taking place at China's Grand Prix venue in Shanghai, it has
emerged.

The April event has only a provisional date on the 2011 calendar, with
re-approval of the 7-year-old circuit to only be possible after an FIA
inspection in March.

It was previously believed that the necessary improvements at the $240
million facility were in the area of the track surface and rain drainage.

The local race organisers have now confirmed that the main problem is
subsidence - damage to the track surface due to downwards movement of the
ground - at three corners.

"There should be no problem," Yang Yibin, manager of race promoter Juss
Event, is quoted by the Shanghai Daily.

"We've communicated well with the FIA, our plan has been approved and the
Grand Prix will be on time."

The report said the serious subsidence is present at turns 1, 8 and 14.

The Shanghai International Circuit was built in 2003 on former swampland.

"Subsidence is normal because of the soft soil in Shanghai, which the
circuit was built above," Yang said.

And circuit engineering manager Sun Liang told the Oriental Morning Post
that artificial elevation changes were built into the layout by using
"complex materials".

"Because some parts of the circuit are on the ground while some parts are
not, as time goes by it's normal for some subsidence," he said.